Sergio Mendes the hit “Mas que nada” made him the frontman of bossa novan and helped popularize the Brazilian music genre worldwide in the 1960s.
In 2006, a modern version of the song topped the US charts performed by the Black Eyed Peas.
Sergio Mendes composed the music for the film “Pelé” with the saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and also produced an album recorded by the Brazilian football legend.
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Sergio Mendes: Grammy winner and Oscar nominee
Mendes won a 1992 Grammy for Best World Music Album for “Brasileiro” and two Latin Grammy Awards.
He also received an Academy Award nomination in 2012 for Best Original Song for “Real in Rio” from the animated film “Rio”.
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Died surrounded by wife and family
The death was confirmed in a statement by his family announcing that “his wife and musical partner of the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendeswas by his side, as were his children”.
Sergio Mendes last performed last November to sold-out houses in Paris, London and Barcelona. He lived to be 83 years old.
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